How to Spot Real vs Fake Silver Jewellery at Home

Written by Darshan Jain, Founder of Arumayi

We get asked this constantly, both in-store and by customers who've bought silver elsewhere and want a second opinion: "How do I know this is actually silver?" Here are the checks you can genuinely do at home, and their limits.

The Magnet Test

Genuine silver is not magnetic, so a small magnet will not stick to it or pull it. If a piece is strongly attracted to a magnet, it's very likely made from a base metal, not silver. This test won't confirm a piece is silver on its own (some fake pieces use non-magnetic base metals too), but it's a quick way to rule out obvious fakes.

The Weight and Feel Test

Silver has a distinct density — it feels noticeably heavier than similarly sized costume jewellery made from cheaper alloys. If a piece feels unusually light for its size, that's a signal worth paying attention to, though it's not conclusive on its own since piece thickness varies by design.

Checking for Tarnish Patterns

Real silver tarnishes over time with a dull, greyish film, especially in areas with less airflow like the inside of a ring band — see our piece on why silver tarnishes for the full explanation. Silver-plated base metal, on the other hand, often shows the plating wearing off unevenly — a different base-metal colour peeking through at high-contact points like the underside of a ring or the back of an earring post. If you already own a piece and want to check it, look closely at those high-friction spots first. Rhodium-plated pieces can look similar as the plating thins — see our guide on rhodium plating if that applies to your piece.

Ask for Purity in Writing

The most reliable check isn't a home test at all — it's buying from a seller who states purity clearly on the product listing or receipt, and who's willing to answer questions about what you're buying. Our guide to identifying genuine 925 silver covers this in more depth. At Arumayi, every product page states purity and weight, and our team is happy to talk you through any piece before you buy, whether that's in-store or over WhatsApp.

FAQs

Does the magnet test prove a piece is real silver?
Not on its own — it can rule out strongly magnetic fakes, but some non-silver metals are also non-magnetic, so it's one check among several.

Why does my silver jewellery look worn in some spots?
If a different colour is showing through at high-friction points like a ring's underside, the piece may be silver-plated rather than solid silver.

Is tarnishing a sign of real silver?
Yes, tarnishing over time is actually a normal sign of real silver reacting with air — base metal costume jewellery tends to fade or peel differently.

What's the most reliable way to buy genuine silver?
Buy from a seller who states purity and weight clearly and can answer your questions directly — that matters more than any single home test.